Dorothy...

So today was so windy that sometimes I felt like I was going to get carried away, okay maybe not completely like Dorothy did but pretty darn close. :) The main thing keeping me going on the way out was knowing that after 6 miles I would be turning around and this wind would then be carrying me home. And it did carry me home. I did the last 6 miles at about an 8 min/mile pace. The way out was a bit of a different story filled with stops along the way. A Bear came and picked up Josie at mile 3.5 and I stopped and took off my undershirt because i was hot and mentioned that my pants were really hot too. Then at about 5.5 miles my darling husband showed up again with shorts in his hands for me to change into, my sweaty legs could not have been happier. So with two stops and a water break I made it the first 6 miles in about an hour. A couple of times the wind really did blow me back a little and I had to put my head down and keep going. I felt really good though and can't complain about the beautiful day it turned out to be on the way back. I had tired legs when I woke up this morning and I rested them for a couple of hours before I took off. It was a great run and I still feel pretty good. It made me look forward to pushing myself to see how far I can go. Another exciting thing was that I found my headband that I had lost last week on my Saturday run, how amazing is that? There it was just sitting on El Dorado on the side of the road. I felt like the luckiest girl. So 5 weeks of training down, 13 weeks to go!

Grateful

Uh... runs the day after Thanksgiving never go very well. :) I could feel every ounce of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls, pie, etc. that I consumed on Thanksgiving when I went on a short 3 miler today. But of course, I don't regret one single morsel that I ate...well maybe that second piece of the caramel apple pie, 4 helpings of dessert may have put me over the top. :) Hopefully my 12 mile run tomorrow will be okay. But I just don't think I'll be able to turn down leftovers today. Me and Josie were a little sluggish but it is hard to not enjoy running in this amazing weather. I just hope it stays through tomorrow....rain in the forecast and I would be so bummed if great weather all week ended on Saturday when I will be running for almost 2 hours.

A couple nights ago A Bear and I watched a special on The Biggest Loser. Now I love this show and I watching these people make amazing changes in their lives but after this one it made me so grateful for my body and that I am able to run. Sometimes I think I take it for granted being able to be phsycially active but there are so many people who can't be. And while I know some of this is due to personal decisions, I also know some of it is hereditary and because of major obstacles they have faced. I am very grateful for a healthy body. With running I am also grateful for my new runnings pants, running shoes for over pronators, and beautiful fall weather. This year of course so thankful for a healthy baby boy, who is active as can be and a husband who started going to spin classes because he loves me. I have an amazing life.

So Grateful for Thanksgiving

This has been such a fabulous week because A Bear had a short work week. Yesterday felt like such a Friday. I kept forgetting that I was doing my Tuesday run and kept trying to do my Friday run. I was so excited that A Bear would be home from work early and that we had the whole rest of the week to spend together. We have been looking at jogging strollers a lot and having fun. We have been trying out different energy/protein bars and I am going to begin experimenting with the different types of gus, jelly beans, etc. Today we went to a local running store and I'm telling you I could've spent thousands of dollars in there. The clothes were great, shoes, socks, gloves, hats, you name it... I wanted it. But it was even more fun to pick out Christmas decorations and think about this fun holiday.

Today I did 5 miles at around 8 AM and it was the most perfect time of day to go running. I felt kinda sluggish and slow but loved the weather. And like I always do, I felt like okay I got through Wednesday, I can make it the rest of the week. Good thing I went slow because we spent the rest of the day walking around stores. I keep telling myself that February is such a bad time to run a marathon because you train in the coldest months of the year, but I have been so lucky with great weather for November, perfect fall running weather.

A Bear has starated going to the spin class at his gym. I am so intimidated of those classes. So funny that I can feel like I can run a marathon, but a spin class, way too hard. I'm pretty impressed by him, he comes home looking like he sweat off 10 pounds. Maybe sometime I will go with him.

I am so excited for Thanksgiving tomorrow, I love to eat and love all the food we are going to have. One of the best parts of being a runner is being able to eat all the food you want.

Holy 11 Miles

11 miles, I can't believe it. I can't believe my training has me up to 11 miles already. It seems so soon. Okay 11 miles, surely then next week I will be tapering off to something like 5, right? No next week is 12 miles. Man 12 miles in my 5th week of training. I don't know if I am cut out for this. Training for a marathon is so different than training for a half. I mean I am still doing basically half marathon mileage during the week but I can't believe these Saturday runs. This is going to be 18 weeks of running far. Yesterday I completed my 11.5 miles in about an hour and 35 minutes. Again I missed my turn around street and ended up doing the extra half mile. It was again, an unbelievably beautiful day. I went in the afternoon, after lunch, which made for fabulous weather but not for my poor digestive system. I should've been smarter on that end and not eaten lunch or eaten something different. I started needing to go to the bathroom at about mile 1.5 and waited all the way until my run ended. Probably not the greatest for my body. But despite that, I felt fabulous. It was a good run. A-Bear and baby C met me at about 2.5 miles to pick up Josie and bring me water. Then they dropped it off for me at about mile 5 so I could get it then and then again on the way back. The run was especially beautiful on the way back, the sun was beginning to set, there was no wind and my pace was quicker. I just had fun, I thought about conversations A-Bear and I had the night before, I laughed out loud, and I did the air drums to the music. (Speaking of music I am in desperate need of downloading some new tunes) I remember when I got to the last mile, I was so proud of myself. I just couldn't believe I had made it and loved it. And I couldn't wait to get back to my sweet husband and baby. When I walked in I started looking for them, after I found the bathroom, and there they were, taking a nap together all cuddeled up on the bed. How could a person love anything more? Forget cooldown, forget streching out, forget the post-run nutrition; sometimes you just want to cuddle up with your family. Especially when you have the cutest family in the world.

Great Day

This morning I had a fabulous run. I woke up early this morning when my husband's alarm went off at 5:30 and couldn't fall back asleep. So I fed the baby at 6 and then went ahead and got up to get going. Josie was not about to let me leave her behind again today so she was on me the whole time I was getting ready. It was a great run, Josie was fabulous, I felt great and we had a lot of fun. I did 5 miles and made it back before the husband needed to leave for work. Its always nice to have my Wednesday run over with. I don't know why but I guess its because its my longest weekday run and I know I have to get up earlier to do it but after I make it through that run, I think, okay I can make it through this week.

This week I am jealous of anyone who owns one of these:

Oh how I long for a jogging stroller and of course, I would want like the most expensive one. So I am stalking Craigslist and Ebay in hopes that one will come along. Sigh...

From chocolate milk to hot chocolate

So the cold weather is finally starting to creep its way in here. I think I might be saying goodbye to the unbelievable running weather we have had lately. But the exciting part of the colder weather is, I finally got to try out my new running pants. I got the Nike Cold Weather Pants. They are last year's model and I really like them. They are super comfortable. I always feel in between sizes and went with the bigger size this time so they are a little baggy but that's okay. When I went running this morning it was pretty windy and my little hands were so cold, but my legs were nice and toasty. I did a quick 4 miles this morning without Josie. She was distracted playing in the backyard and I was in a hurry and so I left her behind. Well lets just say she isn't going to let that happen again. She has been following me right by my side all morning. I'm also convinced that I run a little faster in the cold weather, just because I'm anxious to get back home.

Saturday's run went well. I did 6 miles at about an 8.5 min/mile pace. I ended up just staying in the neighborhood and when I got back the husband left for a run too. The weather was just too good to work out inside. He is going to try and do some running now which is very exciting. I mean of course I have dreams of us going on runs together, one of us pushing a jogging stroller. Maybe someday...

Old Stomping Grounds

We spent Tuesday night at my parent's house in Arlington so I went on my run Wednesday morning around their house. I loved going on one of my old routes, I miss running around there. It is so different because I don't run into tons of people and there were only like 4 kids waiting for the bus. It was mostly just me and Jo. She of course found a Starbucks cup at about the 1 mile marker and carried it to the very end of the run when she dropped it in exchange for a piece of, what I'm sure was delicious, trash. It was also Jo's first time to run around that neighborhood. It was a great run and I felt great. Now this morning was a different story. I was dragging Josie the whole time and felt tired. I was ready to get home and move on with my day. The weather is still great but started to cool off some. It is now turning into beautiful fall weather, which I also love. I was just taking a look at my training schedule and realized I am only running 6 miles tomorrow but then I never have low Saturday mileage again, until after the marathon. Wow, that is kind of daunting. Never again a casual 6 or 7 miler, which means all of my runs will be over an hour. I need to start thinking better about hydration and eating during the run. I've always been so bad about that. I've never done the gu thing but I guess I could try it or carry dried fruit with me, or some type of power bar. Hm...

Would you mind sleeping another 30 minutes?

So this week is wonderful because my husband doesn't have to be at work until a little bit later and this means we all get to sleep in some more. He has been wanting to get up and go to the gym before work and so Monday morning when my alarm went off he asked if it would be okay if I slept in 30 more minutes so he could run to the gym. Well, I guess I could do that, sure, I mean, alright that would be okay. It has been nice to have more time to get ready to go and have it be a little warmer out. Its weird to not see my regular people out but kinda fun to see different neighbors. I just can't believe how warm it still is. I bought new pants for the cold weather and have yet to need them. Part of me wants the cold weather to come just so I can wear my new pants. (A very, very small part)

Today was a quick 4 miles and I felt good. I try to run at pace on Tuesdays and then I think the last 12 weeks before the race I will do some speed work on Tuesday mornings. This would require me to get up earlier and probably go to the track, so we'll see if I pull though but that is the goal. Josie found a stick on our run that she just wouldn't let go of and carried almost the entire run until the excitement of a new dog caused her to drop it right at the end. She sure livens up my runs and make me laugh. I'm lucky to have a funny running partner.

Another Week

This week of runs went well. I felt good on all of my early morning runs and kept good pace. Daylight savings has been fabulous for running early. It is so nice to not be in the dark and to see the sun rising. I love passing all of the kids out waiting for the school bus. Josie was pretty well behaved and is getting better and better at not chasing people and rabbits. Then Saturday, long day, 9 miles came. 9 is the fartherst I have gone post baby. I was kinda nervous but I have done 8 a few times, including last week and thought I would be okay. I got up and ready to go and then there was a complication with me and the hubby's schedule. (Golf is a rare treat for my love) So I had to wait until late afternoon to go. By then I was feeling sluggish and in no mood to run. I thought about not going but I knew if I could just get started I would be okay. I ran the first 3.5 with Josie and she was kinda messing me up getting into a true rythmn. Hubby met me to pick her up and bring me water. Then it was awesome. I found my pace, the weather was unbelievably perfect for running. On the way back the wind was with me and it was fabulous. I made great time and actually ended up going almost 10 miles becaues I missed the turn around street. And the best part is, I felt great at the end. I was tired that night but rested on Sunday and felt good this morning. I almost got in the car with Aaron at 3.5 miles and I would've missed an awesome run. I felt like I could do it, ya know, I can train for this marathon. I streched out for a long time after the run and was in a great mood the rest of the night. It is just the most amazing thing how much running affects my mood. I was in the worst mood all day before I ran and then I was like a different person after. I love the road, me, and my Ipod - and I'm complete.

Peanut Butter is a runner's best friend

So I get the Runner's World magazine and I love it. I love reading the articles and the people in there inspire me. I love reading about the beginning runner and how he is working up to 3 miles. This month they had a section on all of the runners' favorites and best stuff. Not surpirsingly the best and most popular post-run food is chocolate milk. I have chocolate milk everyday after my runs. The next best, not a shocker, peanut butter. Again I have a banana and peanut butter with my chocolate milk after my runs. I love it. But now I love it even more knowing that it is the best. It just makes me laugh how certain foods have "running foods" or food that runners eat. Like so many runners have a banana and a bagel before a run and pasta the night before. I mean I get it, carbs, protein, not too much fiber but I just think its funny how when I think, "okay what should I eat the night before a run?" Oh well its gotta be pasta. But oh how I look forward to my post run snack. I hope there has never comes a day when I don't look forward to my banana, peanut butter, and chocolate milk treat.

And it begins

So I've always wanted to have a place where I could keep track of my daily running triumphs and foes and since I seem to be pretty decent at keeping our family blog updated I thought I could start another one for running. I know I am the only one who will probably ever read this so it makes it convenient to have a place where I can write about it all, openly. I am currently training for the Cowtown Marathon in February. I have never run in a full marathon before. I am pretty nervous about it all but excited for the challenge. It wasn't until after I had Carson that I really felt the desire to do it. Having a baby is the most empowering experience in the world and I seriously felt like I could do anything after that. I am not hardcore training. I mean, I am on Saturdays but I am going to keep my weekday mileage fairly low because I don't want my training to consume my life. I want it to be something fun that I enjoy. This is where I will write about the running high I get and how today, yes, I could've run forever; also this is where I will complain when I am convinced that I will never lace up my running shoes again. I am also going to include cool running articles that I have read or tips that i have found and my opinions on shoes, gear, power bars, etc. Let the games begin!